COMPETITORS from across the region took part in the fourth annual Top Barn Triathlon.

In total, 240 athletes tackled the sprint and double distance courses from the Holt Heath-based activities centre.

The sprint event, featuring 145 triathletes, comprised a 750-metre swim, 28km bike section, which took riders out to Martley and back, and a 5km run, with the double competition completing two laps of each.

Hosts Worcester Triathlon Club won the club competition in the sprint section with Jim Chalmers, Neill Crump and Paul Scriven the three best-placed triathletes.

Crump also finished third in the male open division.

In addition, the hosts triumphed in the double distance with Mark-Steven Howe, Kevin May, Neil Wicks taking the best club honours.

May won the veteran division in 2.53.06, while Howe was third in 2.58.22.

Andrew Cunnell from Redditch Triathletes claimed the ultra vet category in 3.15.26.

Husband and wife Luke and Paula Moseley, from Hereford club Climb on Bikes, won the male and female open categories in the double distance with respective times of 2.36.38 and 2.51.11.

The pair, who finished second in both 2009 and 2010, each won a wetsuit from sponsors Xterra Wetsuits.

Debbie Cooper, of Hereford Tri Club, won the female open category in the sprint race.

Worcester Tri Club team-mates Phil Parsons (swim and run) and Ian Jennings (bike) also combined to win the relay in a time of one hour 17 minutes 17 seconds, beating Absolute Triathlon Worcester into second place in 1.28.52.

Organiser Gavin Vickers said: “We are really pleased with how the race went. The weather was perfect for triathlon, the venue is always stunning and all the competitors really enjoyed a great day’s racing.

“It is always great to see so many athletes returning to compete against themselves, each other and the course and equally inspiring to see so many novices for their first ever race.”

“A huge thanks has to go to the Worcester Tri Club marshals and all the help from the City Church who assisted with marshalling and organisational duties.”